Was back to work hours ago, finished work, had a doctor's appointment, drove kids home from school, made and ate dinner, and ran a girl scout meeting today after Fiesta Friday. Now I'm about ready to collapse!

How 'ya been doing? "That is one thing that Men call 'hope.' Amdir we call it, 'looking up.' But there is another which is founded deeper. Estel we call it, that is 'trust.' It is not defeated by the ways of the world, for it does not come from experience, but from our nature and First Being. If we are indeed the Eruhin, the Children of the One, then He will not suffer Himself to be deprived of His own, not by any enemy, not even by ourselves. This is the last foundation of estel, which we keep even when we contemplate the End. Of all His designs the issue must be for His children's joy." Finrod, Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth, HoME X Morgoth's Ring

Those are always fun - and you can see how much enjoyment it gives the students who are involved!

I miss doing things like that with my youngest, now that she's away at college...

Enjoy the rally! The nice gay couple who live in our downtown area and who have done so much for our community for many years were finally able to get married this week, and they've been showered with well-wishes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I desired dragons with a profound desire"

"It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?" -Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915

Do you let the byrding pick the birthday dinner? That's how we always do it at our house. When I was a kid, I'd ask for chinese food, since none of my sibs liked it, and we didn't have it very often.

The footer speaks of hope, which to me is the most personally powerful theme Tolkien wrote. I am too often a pessimist by nature, and to hold on to hope is sometimes difficult. Tolkien's story of hope unquenchable, and endurance without hope, has been my personal touchstone many times in my life.

Your footer, on the other hand, is a glorious celebration. "That is one thing that Men call 'hope.' Amdir we call it, 'looking up.' But there is another which is founded deeper. Estel we call it, that is 'trust.' It is not defeated by the ways of the world, for it does not come from experience, but from our nature and First Being. If we are indeed the Eruhin, the Children of the One, then He will not suffer Himself to be deprived of His own, not by any enemy, not even by ourselves. This is the last foundation of estel, which we keep even when we contemplate the End. Of all His designs the issue must be for His children's joy." Finrod, Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth, HoME X Morgoth's Ring

Turning twelve is a milestone, and I'm glad you're enjoying the moment. Have a wonderful year. "That is one thing that Men call 'hope.' Amdir we call it, 'looking up.' But there is another which is founded deeper. Estel we call it, that is 'trust.' It is not defeated by the ways of the world, for it does not come from experience, but from our nature and First Being. If we are indeed the Eruhin, the Children of the One, then He will not suffer Himself to be deprived of His own, not by any enemy, not even by ourselves. This is the last foundation of estel, which we keep even when we contemplate the End. Of all His designs the issue must be for His children's joy." Finrod, Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth, HoME X Morgoth's Ring

I am honored to be here among such excellent and admirable folks.
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This community has helped me through some hard and lonely times. I appreciate you all very much. I have been sipping drinks all the way down the board so will grab a cup of tea and see who else shows up.

Cheers all. Most people don't know there are angels whose only job is to make sure you don't get too comfortable - fall asleep and miss your life.

*munch, munch* I missed these earlier, they make a great late-night snack, glad there were some left over! Thanks, gramma, and enjoy the weekend! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I desired dragons with a profound desire"

"It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?" -Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915

How many cats/kittens do you have at present? Last I knew, there were enough to completely cover a bed! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I desired dragons with a profound desire"

"It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?" -Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915

My niece's 25th birthday was Monday - we are celebrating big-time tomorrow, the more so since we won't get to be with her on her birthday until she turns 28 (chokes back a sob) - she's off to Morocco soon for her Peace Corps stint. Dwight Schrute: ID badges are long overdue. Security in this office park is a joke. Last year, I came to work with my spud gun in a duffel bag. I sat at my desk all day with a rifle that shoots potatoes at sixty pounds per square inch. Can you imagine if I was deranged?

that's awful. I hope you find a great job very soon! Dwight Schrute: ID badges are long overdue. Security in this office park is a joke. Last year, I came to work with my spud gun in a duffel bag. I sat at my desk all day with a rifle that shoots potatoes at sixty pounds per square inch. Can you imagine if I was deranged?

And also: Awwwwww! Thanks for the picture of the little guy. He's so cute we'll have to forgive him for keeping you so busy you've no time for us. :-) Say hello to Mr. Lumpkin too, won't you? Silverlode

"Of all faces those of our familiares are the ones both most difficult to play fantastic tricks with, and most difficult really to see with fresh attention. They have become like the things which once attracted us by their glitter, or their colour, or their shape, and we laid hands on them, and then locked them in our hoard, acquired them, and acquiring ceased to look at them. Creative fantasy, because it is mainly trying to do something else [make something new], may open your hoard and let all the locked things fly away like cage-birds. The gems all turn into flowers or flames, and you will be warned that all you had (or knew) was dangerous and potent, not really effectively chained, free and wild; no more yours than they were you." -On Fairy Stories

is often the hardest thing to find, but the most precious... isn't it :) I know your daughter SO appreciates not only your going there, but she also appreciates how far a drive it was, the hour, and the "time". She's so lucky to have you.

Enjoy your weekend!!!

"Barney Snow was here." ~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.